V-Shaped Filter with Serviceable Frames and Cartridges

ABSTRACT

A V-shaped filter includes a V-shaped carrier frame, first and second cartridge frames movably mounted to the carrier frame, and first and second filter element cartridges removably and replaceably mounted to the first and second cartridge frames, respectively. The first and second cartridge frames are movable to an inserted position in the V-shaped carrier frame providing an installed condition with the first and second cartridge frames forming a V-shape, and are movable to an extended position extending beyond the V-shaped carrier frame and providing a replacement-service condition.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

The invention relates to V-shaped filters.

V-shaped filters are known in the prior art, including a pair of filter media panel elements having respective root ends and diverging therefrom to distal ends in a V-shape.

The present disclosure arose during continuing development efforts in the above technology.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an end view of a V-shaped filter.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the filter of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the filter of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the filter of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view partially cut away of the filter of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a component of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a side view partially cut away of the filter of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is like FIG. 7 and shows another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is like FIG. 2 and shows another embodiment.

FIG. 10 is like FIG. 2 and shows another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-4 show a V-shaped filter 20 including a V-shaped carrier frame 22, first and second cartridge frames 24 and 26, FIG. 4, movably mounted to carrier frame 22 and movable to an inserted position, FIG. 5, in the V-shaped carrier frame providing an installed condition with the first and second cartridge frames 24 and 26 forming a V-shape, FIG. 1, and movable to an extended position, FIG. 4, extending beyond V-shaped carrier frame 22 providing a replacement-service condition. First and second filter element cartridges 28 and 30 are removably and replaceably mounted to first and second cartridge frames 24 and 26, respectively. Filter element cartridges 28 and 30 may be media panel filter elements, as known in the prior art. For further reference regarding V-shaped filters, reference is made to commonly owned co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/223,387, filed Sep. 1, 2011, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2012/0067013, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/229,835, filed Sep. 12, 2011, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2012/0067323, all incorporated herein by reference. In one embodiment, the fluid to be filtered may flow outside-in, e.g. inwardly through the filter media panel elements at filter element cartridges 28 and 30 to be filtered thereby as shown at arrows 32 and 34, then discharged as clean filtered fluid into the V-shaped space 36 between filter element cartridges 28 and 30, then discharged as shown at arrow 38 downwardly in the orientation of FIG. 1. In an alternate embodiment, the fluid to be filtered may flow inside-out, e.g. upwardly in the orientation of FIG. 1, oppositely to the direction of arrow 38, into V-shaped space 36, then outwardly through filter element cartridges 28 and 30 to be filtered thereby and then discharged as clean filtered fluid, oppositely to the direction of arrows 32 and 34.

Movement of cartridge frames 24 and 26 to the inserted position traps and seals filter element cartridges 28 and 30 respectively to cartridge frames 24 and 26 in the installed condition. Movement of cartridge frames 24 and 26 from the inserted position to the extended position, FIG. 4, allows removal of filter element cartridges 28 and 30 respectively from cartridge frames 24 and 26 in the noted replacement-service condition, to enable installation of replacement filter element cartridges. V-shaped carrier frame 22 has first and second sets of guide track channels 40 and 42 receiving cartridge frames 24 and 26, respectively, along first and second insertion directions, FIGS. 4, 5, and guiding first and second cartridge frames 24 and 26 along the first and second insertion directions to the inserted position, FIG. 5, in the installed condition forming the V-shape. Guide track channels 40 and 42 respectively engage cartridge frames 24 and 26 in compressive sealing relation at first and second sets of sealing interfaces 44 and 46 when cartridge frames 24 and 26 are in the installed condition in the inserted position. Cartridge frames 24 and 26 respectively engage filter element cartridges 28 and 30 in compressive sealing relation at respective sets of sealing interfaces 48 and 50 when cartridge frames 24 and 26 are in the installed condition in the inserted position. In one embodiment, guide track channels 40 and 42 engage cartridge frames 24 and 26 in wedge-shape compressive sealing relation, and cartridge frames 24 and 26 engage filter element cartridges 28 and 30 in wedge-shape compressive sealing relation. In one embodiment, the latter sealing relation is facilitated by respective perimeteral resilient gaskets 52 and 54. In a further embodiment, particularly for outside-in flow, carrier frame 22 may include truss-works or lattices 56 and 58 bordering inner V-shaped space 36 and providing inner support for filter element cartridges 28 and 30 while still allowing flow inwardly therethrough.

First and second cartridge frames 24 and 26 are inserted along the noted first and second insertion directions respectively along first and second travel strokes from a respective beginning of a travel stroke, FIG. 4, to a respective end of a travel stroke, FIG. 5. First cartridge frame 24 and first set of guide track channels 40 have a first set of mating detents 60 tactilely engaging each other at the end of the noted first travel stroke and retaining first cartridge frame 24 in the inserted position in the installed condition. Second cartridge frame 26 and second set of guide track channels 42 have a second set of mating detents 62 tactilely engaging each other at the end of the noted second travel stroke and retaining second filter cartridge 26 in the inserted position in the installed condition. The detent may be provided by a hump or bump on one of the members, e.g. guide track channel 40, and a concavity or recess in the other member, e.g. cartridge frame 24, which bump and recess engage in tactile frictional relation and which may be overcome to enable the cartridge frame to be moved to its extended position, FIG. 4.

In a further embodiment, first cartridge frame 24 and V-shaped carrier frame 22 engage each other in locking relation at the end of the noted first travel stroke at a first releasable mechanical lock 64, FIGS. 2-4, 6, 7, locking cartridge frame 24 in the inserted position in the installed condition until mechanically released. Second cartridge frame 26 and V-shaped carrier frame 22 engage each other in locking relation at the end of the noted second travel stroke at a second releasable mechanical lock 66 locking second cartridge frame 26 in inserted position in the installed condition until mechanically released. In one embodiment, first releasable mechanical lock 64 includes a first movable locking finger 68 on one of the first cartridge frame 24 and V-shaped carrier frame 22, e.g. on cartridge frame 24, and a first slot 70 with a first stop surface 72 on the other of the first cartridge frame 24 and the V-shaped carrier frame 22, e.g. on carrier frame 22. First releasable mechanical lock 64 has a locked condition with first movable locking finger 68 extending into first slot 70 and engaging first stop surface 72 in mechanically stopped relation to prevent withdrawal of first cartridge frame 24 along first set of guide track channels 40 from the inserted position in the installed condition. First releasable mechanical lock 64 has a released condition with first movable locking finger 68 withdrawn from first slot 70, e.g. by the operator pushing finger 68 inwardly, and disengaging first stop surface 72 to permit withdrawal of first cartridge frame 24 along first set of guide track channels 40. Second releasable mechanical lock 66 includes a second movable locking finger 74 on one of second cartridge frame 26 and V-shaped carrier frame 22, e.g. on cartridge frame 26, and a second slot 76 with a second stop surface 78 on the other of the second cartridge frame 26 and the V-shaped carrier frame 22, e.g. on V-shaped carrier frame 22. Second releasable mechanical lock 66 has a locked condition with second movable locking finger 74 extending into second slot 76 and engaging second stop surface 78 in mechanically stopped relation to prevent withdrawal of second cartridge frame 26 along second set of guide track channels 42 from the inserted position in the installed condition. Second releasable mechanical lock 66 has a released condition with second movable locking finger 74 withdrawn from second slot 76, e.g. by the operator pushing finger 74 inwardly, and disengaging second stop surface 78 to permit withdrawal of second cartridge frame 26 along the second set of guide channels 42.

In a further embodiment, first slot 70 may include an outer first configured keyhole 80, FIGS. 8, 9, having a designated shape selected to match and receive a first security key 82 of complemental shape for insertion into first configured keyhole 80 to engage and move first movable locking finger 68 out of first slot 70. Second slot 76 may have a second configured keyhole 84 having a second designated shape selected to match and receive a second security key 86 of complemental shape for insertion into second configured keyhole 84 to engage and move second movable locking finger 74 out of second slot 76. In one embodiment, the noted first and second designated shapes are the same, and first and second security keys 82 and 86 are interchangeable and replaceable by a single key. In a further embodiment, first movable locking finger 68 is a first deflection release button engaging first slot 70 in snap-fit relation, and second movable locking finger 74 is a second deflection release button engaging second slot 76 in snap-fit relation.

In a further embodiment, first cartridge frame 24 and first filter element cartridge 28 have configured mating surfaces 88, FIG. 6, e.g. a wave shape, or other shapes, uniquely locating first filter element cartridge 28 in fixed position on first cartridge frame 24, which configured mating surfaces may likewise be provided for the second filter element cartridge and second cartridge frame. In one embodiment, the noted configured mating surfaces of the first and second filter element cartridges are identical, and the first and second filter element cartridges are interchangeable.

In one embodiment, first filter element cartridge 28 has a first perimeteral gasket 52 compressively engaging V-shaped carrier frame 22 in both axially and laterally compressed sealing relation, wherein the axial compression of first perimeteral gasket 52 is along the noted direction of insertion of first cartridge frame 24 to the inserted position in the installed condition, and wherein the lateral compression of first perimeteral gasket 52 is along a direction transverse to the noted insertion direction of first cartridge frame 24. Second filter element cartridge 30 has a second perimeteral gasket 54 engaging V-shaped carrier frame 22 in both axially and laterally compressed sealing relation, wherein the axial compression of second perimeteral gasket 54 is along the noted direction of insertion of second cartridge frame 26 to the inserted position in the installed condition, and wherein the lateral compression of the second perimeteral gasket 54 is along a direction transverse to the direction of insertion of second cartridge frame 26 to the inserted position in the installed condition.

V-shaped carrier frame 22 has a root end 92, FIG. 10, at the apex of the V-shape, and a distal end 94 distally opposite root end 92. In the embodiment of FIG. 10, a perimeteral groove 96 extends along an extension direction around the perimeter of distal end 94 for receiving a perimeteral gasket, a portion of which is shown at 98, in groove 96 for radial compression sealing of gasket 98 along a radial direction transverse to the noted extension direction, for sealing in a housing, for example housing 122 or 130 in commonly owned co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/223,387, filed Sep. 1, 2011, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2012/0067013, or housing 44 in commonly owned co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/229,835, filed Sep. 12, 2011, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2012/0067323, all incorporated herein by reference. In another embodiment, FIG. 2, V-shaped carrier frame 22 has a perimeteral groove 100 extending along an extension direction around the perimeter of distal end 94 and facing along an insertion direction (upwardly in FIG. 2) toward root end 92 for receiving a perimeteral gasket, a portion of which is shown at 102, in groove 100 for axial compression sealing of gasket 102 along the noted insertion direction transverse to the noted extension direction, for sealing in a housing, for example as noted above.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be inferred therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. The different configurations, systems, and method steps described herein may be used alone or in combination with other configurations, systems and method steps. It is to be expected that various equivalents, alternatives and modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims. Each limitation in the appended claims is intended to invoke interpretation under 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, only if the terms “means for” or “step for” are explicitly recited in the respective limitation. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A V-shaped filter comprising: a V-shaped carrier frame; first and second cartridge frames movably mounted to said carrier frame, and movable to an inserted position in said V-shaped carrier frame providing an installed condition with said first and second cartridge frames forming a V-shape, and movable to an extended position extending beyond said V-shaped carrier frame providing a replacement-service condition; first and second filter element cartridges removably and replaceably mounted to said first and second cartridge frames, respectively.
 2. The V-shaped filter according to claim 1 wherein movement of said first and second cartridge frames to said inserted position traps and seals said first and second filter element cartridges respectively to said first and second cartridge frames in said installed condition, and movement of said first and second cartridge frames from said inserted position to said extended position allows removal of said first and second filter element cartridges respectively from said first and second cartridge frames in said replacement-service condition, to enable installation of replacement filter element cartridges.
 3. The V-shaped filter assembly according to claim 2 wherein said V-shaped carrier frame has first and second sets of guide track channels receiving said first and second cartridge frames, respectively, along first and second insertion directions, and guiding said first and second cartridge frames along said first and second insertion directions to said inserted position in said installed condition forming said V-shape.
 4. The V-shaped filter according to claim 3 wherein said first and second guide track channels respectively engage said first and second cartridge frames in compressive sealing relation at respective first and second sets of sealing interfaces when said first and second cartridge frames are in said installed condition in said inserted position.
 5. The V-shaped filter according to claim 3 wherein said first and second cartridge frames respectively engage said first and second filter element cartridges in compressive sealing relation at respective first and second sets of sealing interfaces when said first and second cartridge frames are in said installed condition in said inserted position.
 6. The V-shaped filter according to claim 3 wherein said first and second guide track channels respectively engage said first and second cartridge frames in compressive sealing relation at respective first and second sets of sealing interfaces, and said first and second cartridge frames respectively engage said first and second filter element cartridges in compressive sealing relation at respective third and fourth sets of sealing interfaces, when said first and second cartridge frames are in said installed condition in said inserted position.
 7. The V-shaped filter according to claim 4 wherein said first and second guide track channels engage said first and second cartridge frames in wedge-shape compressive sealing relation.
 8. The V-shaped filter according to claim 5 wherein said first and second cartridge frames engage said first and second filter element cartridges in wedge-shape compressive sealing relation.
 9. The V-shaped filter according to claim 6 wherein said first and second guide track channels engage said first and second cartridge frames in wedge-shape compressive sealing relation, and said first and second cartridge frames engage said first and second filter element cartridges in wedge-shape compressive sealing relation.
 10. The V-shaped filter according to claim 3 wherein said first and second cartridge frames are inserted along said first and second insertion directions respectively along first and second travel strokes from a respective beginning of a travel stroke to a respective end of a travel stroke, wherein said first cartridge frame and said first set of guide track channels have a first set of mating detents tactilely engaging each other at said end of said first travel stroke and retaining said first cartridge frame in said inserted position in said installed condition, and said second cartridge frame and said second set of guide track channels have a second set of mating detents tactilely engaging each other at said end of said second travel stroke and retaining said second cartridge frame in said inserted position in said installed condition.
 11. The V-shaped filter according to claim 3 wherein said first and second cartridge frames are inserted along said first and second insertion directions respectively along first and second travel strokes from a respective beginning of a travel stroke to a respective end of a travel stroke, wherein said first cartridge frame and said V-shaped carrier frame engage each other in locking relation at said end of said first travel stroke at a first releasable mechanical lock locking said first cartridge frame in said inserted position in said installed condition until mechanically released, and wherein said second cartridge frame and said V-shaped carrier frame engage each other in locking relation at said end of said second travel stroke at a second releasable mechanical lock locking said second cartridge frame in said inserted position in said installed condition until mechanically released.
 12. The V-shaped filter according to claim 11 wherein said first releasable mechanical lock comprises a first movable locking finger on one of said first cartridge frame and said V-shaped carrier frame, and a first slot with a first stop surface on the other of said first cartridge frame and said V-shaped carrier frame, said first releasable mechanical lock having a locked condition with said first movable locking finger extending into said first slot and engaging said first stop surface in mechanically stopped relation to prevent withdrawal of said first cartridge frame along said first set of guide track channels from said inserted position in said installed condition, said first releasable mechanical lock having a released condition with said first movable locking finger withdrawn from said first slot and disengaging said first stop surface to permit withdrawal of said first cartridge frame along said first set of guide track channels, and said second releasable mechanical lock comprises a second movable locking finger on one of said second cartridge frame and said V-shaped carrier frame, and a second slot with a second stop surface on the other of said second cartridge frame and said V-shaped carrier frame, said second releasable mechanical lock having a locked condition with said second movable locking finger extending into said second slot and engaging said second stop surface in mechanically stopped relation to prevent withdrawal of said second cartridge frame along said second set of guide track channels from said inserted position in said installed condition, said second releasable mechanical lock having a released condition with said second movable locking finger withdrawn from said second slot and disengaging said second stop surface to permit withdrawal of said second cartridge frame along said second set of guide track channels.
 13. The V-shaped filter according to claim 12 wherein said first slot comprises a first configured keyhole having a first designated shape selected to match and receive a first security key of complemental shape for insertion into said first configured keyhole to engage and move said first movable locking finger out of said first slot, and wherein said second slot comprises a second configured keyhole having a second designated shape selected to match and receive a second security key of complemental shape for insertion into said second configured keyhole to engage and move said second movable locking finger out of said second slot.
 14. The V-shaped filter according to claim 13 wherein said first and second designated shapes are the same, and said first and second security keys are interchangeable and replaceable by a single key.
 15. The V-shaped filter according to claim 12 wherein said first movable locking finger comprises a first deflection release button engaging said first slot in snap-fit relation, and said second movable locking finger comprises a second deflection release button engaging said second slot in snap-fit relation.
 16. The V-shaped filter according to claim 1 wherein said first cartridge frame and said first filter element cartridge have configured mating surfaces uniquely locating said first filter element cartridge in fixed position on said first cartridge frame, and said second cartridge frame and said second filter element cartridge have configured mating surfaces uniquely locating said second filter element cartridge in fixed position on said second cartridge frame.
 17. The V-shaped filter according to claim 16 wherein said configured mating surfaces of said first and second filter element cartridges are identical, and said first and second filter element cartridges are interchangeable.
 18. The V-shaped filter according to claim 2 wherein said first filter element cartridge has a first perimeteral gasket compressively engaging said V-shaped carrier frame in both axially and laterally compressed sealing relation, axial compression of said first perimeteral gasket being along the direction of insertion of said first cartridge frame to said inserted position in said installed condition, lateral compression of said first perimeteral gasket being along a direction transverse to said insertion direction of said first cartridge frame, and wherein said second filter element cartridge has a second perimeteral gasket compressively engaging said V-shaped carrier frame in both axially and laterally compressed sealing relation, axial compression of said second perimeteral gasket being along the direction of insertion of said second cartridge frame to said inserted position in said installed condition, lateral compression of said second perimeteral gasket being along a direction transverse to the direction of insertion of said second cartridge frame to said inserted position in said installed condition.
 19. The V-shaped filter according to claim 1 wherein said V-shaped carrier frame has a root end at the apex of said V-shape, and a distal end distally opposite said root end, and a perimeteral groove extending along an extension direction around the perimeter of said distal end for receiving a perimeteral gasket in said groove for radial compression sealing of said gasket along a radial direction transverse to said extension direction.
 20. The V-shaped filter according to claim 1 wherein said V-shaped carrier frame has a root end at the apex of said V-shape, and a distal end distally opposite said root end, and a perimeteral groove extending along an extension direction around the perimeter of said distal end and facing along an insertion direction toward said root end for receiving a perimeteral gasket in said groove for axial compression sealing of said gasket along said insertion direction transverse to said extension direction. 